Out of Town 12/3-12/11

The Portland Cello Project has more soul than the average string group, and a reputation for transforming pop music with its evocative covers. But the group takes its genre-transcendence to the next level in its Holiday Spectacular with Ural Thomas—the 70-something once-forgotten soul singer, who sounds as if he's ripped directly from the Motown era because he lived it—and his band, the Pain. If you didn't think cellos and senior citizens could move you to get up and dance, think again. 8 pm. Aladdin Theater. $17-$20.

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Rudolph: On Stage!

The plot for the stop-action 1964 "Rudolph" is a truly odd story about misfits, so wonderfully drawing its themes from the Civil Rights era: A fey elf who isn't accepted (he wants to be a dentist, not a toymaker), a misunderstood monster, a brutish dad who doesn't want his son's nose to glow. And, it is told and staged so wonderfully awkwardly by the improv comedians of Bad Reputation. 8 pm. Thurs.-Sat. & 2 pm Sat. through Dec. 20. CoHo Theater. $21-$24.

A hint of Bob Dylan, a touch of Simon and Garfunkel, and a splash of modern country all blended up makes the delightful Cass McCombs a comforting mixture. McCombs is paired with incendiary pioneer rock band the Meat Puppets, who inspired boatloads of '90s rock bands from Nirvana to Pavement. 9 pm. Doug Fir Lounge. $18.